Speaking Bucket List

This year, I spoke at a United Nations parallel event, as part of the annual Commission for the Status of Women events, in New York city, something that had been on my professional bucket list since 2007.

On March 17, 2025, I joined Jenny Gulamani-Abdulla, Olga Jurasz, and Yara Bon, to deliver a panel session called: "Accelerating Progress By Addressing Barriers To Leadership And Democratic Participation" at the 69th Commission on the Status of Women. I’m truly grateful to have been invited to share my lived experiences with this inspiring group of leaders.

Jenny, one of the Co-Founders of the Canadian Federation for Citizenship, set the stage by sharing context with “Evidence shows that barriers such as limited access to mentors and networks, lack of flexible work arrangements, harassment and discrimination, have limited women’s participation and advancement in leadership roles.”

Jenny also shared a Mentorship program success story, highlighting the workplace and community leadership roles women took on after participating.

Olga shared results from a 2023 study by the Girl Guides of UK that will stick with me for a long time “50% of girls and young women aged 11-21 disagree when asked if they feel free to express their views online.”

Witnessing most women in politics being abused online and being targeted by misinformation campaigns does little to encourage women to run for office. These contribute to half the young women in the UK being unwilling to consider leadership roles.

Yara shared that the Dutch government committed to a five-year investment in Alliantie Politika, WO=MEN Dutch Gender Platform, and Emancipator, not for profits who are identifying and addressing these barriers.

Providing individual support through mentoring, coaching, and media training has proven to encourage women to run for political offices, and to assume other leadership roles.

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During my turn, I focused on the leadership successes of women in the Canadian military, highlighting our history illustrated in part by stories from both my mother’s and my careers. I also shared a few other women’s success stories and some of the policies and practices put in place to combat systemic barriers.

For example, in 2022, Captain Stephanie Clubine, after the birth of her second child, conducted research and then led a collaboration of other military women to design a nursing t-shirt which is now available for purchase in Canex shops, and approved for wear while in uniform. This is an example of the Canadian military setting the conditions for success for women serving in uniform.

In July 2024, General M.A.J. Carignan, became the Canadian Chief of Defence Staff. Her career highlights include three deployments, leading the NATO Mission Iraq, and multiple degrees and honours. She is also married and the mother of four, with two of her offspring pursuing military careers.

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Lessons Learned for a Way Ahead

1 Set and measure aspirational goals

2 Recognize and address systemic barriers:

2a Equal pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, marital status etc…

2b Equitable access to training, education, and other professional development

2c Compensation for maternity, parental, and other family care absences

3 Support systems such as:

3a Peer support

3b Mentors

3c Employee Resource Groups

4 Recognize and reward potential with:

4a Opportunities

4b Advancement

5 Visit the UN Women and UN Global Compact Women’s Empowerment Principles for more proven strategies

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The leadership success stories in the Canadian military are transferable to other countries and organizations. In closing, I invited everyone in the room to explore how they could use the lessons learned to create more opportunities for women to become leaders and engage in democracy.

I invite you to contact me if you’re interested in learning more!

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